The Intermediate Court in 2017 sentenced an unemployed man to five years’ imprisonment and 12 strokes of whipping after admitting to robbing a 78-year-old woman of her gold necklace at her home in Kampong Tarap Bau in May of that year.
Jofri bin Haji Tahir pleaded guilty before Judge Muhammed Faisal PDJLD DSP Haji Kefli on June 7, 2017.
The court heard that Jofri had previously seen the victim, wearing a gold necklace while selling crabs to her neighbour. He later formed the intention to steal it.
At about 10am on May 24, 2017, Jofri went to the woman’s house under the pretext of selling crabs. Finding the main door unlocked, he entered and found her alone in a bedroom watching television.
He covered her mouth to restrain her before grabbing and pulling the necklace from her neck when she tried to free herself. He then fled with the necklace, intending to sell it to pay his debts.
The woman screamed for help, prompting several people to search for the offender. They subsequently found Jofri with the necklace and alerted the police. The necklace was recovered, and Jofri admitted his actions during police investigations.
In sentencing, the judge said the seriousness of the offence warranted a heavy sentence for punishment and deterrence. He described the attack on the elderly woman as cowardly.
The court also took into account Jofri’s previous conviction for a theft-related offence, for which he received eight months’ imprisonment in March 2016.
Although Jofri had pleaded guilty, the judge considered the circumstances of the robbery and his previous conviction. He set a starting point of six years’ imprisonment, reduced by one-third for the guilty plea, and ordered 12 strokes of whipping.
The sentence took effect from the date of conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Nurjauinah Haji Kula appeared for the prosecution, while Jofri was unrepresented.